NCJ Number
140853
Date Published
Unknown
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study examined differences between male and female drunk-driving offenders, based on personality, demographic, and alcohol-related measures.
Abstract
The current sample was derived from a larger sample of 374 first-time and repeat drunk-driving offenders from Nassau and Erie Counties in New York State. Although all subjects were given the Preoccupation with Alcohol Scale and the Negative Assertion Scale (measure of interpersonal competence), only half of the sample was given the Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale and the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory. Only 23 females and 87 males had complete data for these latter two measures. The analyses of this study encompassed only the latter subjects. In demographic characteristics, the males and females did not differ in educational level, employment status, racial composition, or marital status. The females were less likely than the males to qualify for a DSM-III-R alcohol dependence diagnosis. Females had a significantly higher mean interpersonal competence score than males, which indicates greater levels of interpersonal competence for female drinking drivers. Males scored significantly higher on the Preoccupation with Alcohol Scale, which indicates they were more involved in a drinking lifestyle. Three of the five sensation-seeking subscales were significantly different for males compared to females; they were disinhibition, boredom, and experience-seeking. In all three instances, males showed greater indications of sensation-seeking. Except for the assaultiveness subscale, males and females did not differ in aggressiveness. For assaultiveness, males reported significantly higher levels than females. When controlling for alcohol diagnoses and demographic characteristics (differences in age and income), interpersonal competence, the three sensation-seeking measures, and the assaultiveness measure remained significant. 20 references, 1 table, and 1 figure